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2013 Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting

Event Location:

Capitol Grounds

This event has already occurred — The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit by Speaker of the House John A. Boehner during a ceremony on Tuesday, December 3, on the Capitol’s West Front lawn beginning at 5 p.m. Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP, will serve as master of ceremonies.

This year’s tree is an Engelmann spruce from the Newport Ranger District of the Colville National Forest in Washington State. It was harvested on November 1, and is currently traveling from Washington across the country; making stops in 22 communities along the way.

After it arrives at the U.S. Capitol and is secured in the ground, the tree will be decorated with thousands of ornaments, handcrafted by Washingtonians to reflect this year’s theme, “Sharing Washington’s Good Nature,” which highlights the state’s historical, cultural, and natural beauty.

The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. The tree will be lit from night fall until 11 p.m. each evening through January 1, 2014.